Cal: I quit. Everyone knows it.

Russa: Cummon, just one more? Pleeeeeeeaaaaase?

Cal: No. I'm tired of this.

Russa: I'll let my Lipizzaner pony eat you!

Cal: Fine. Russa does not own HMC

---

That night, Muda landed in a grove of trees. She swayed unsteadily, "Howl, I'm… so… tired." The griffon fell sideways with a resounding thud, dislodging the wizard. She slowly shrank until she lay in her true form on the ground.

All of her feathers were torn or completely burnt off. The sun had taken its toll. Howl rolled the shadowperson over and lifted her into a sitting position. She smiled at him, half-conscious, "I'm sorry. I held on as long as I could. I might be able to help still, though you will have to cast the spell. I can teach you how to summon shadows to carry us the rest of the way. First, you…

…Once you've done that, the shadows will do whatever you bid. To a point." Howl draped Muda's arm around his shoulder and lifted her up.

The shadowperson sang out in a strange language that tickled Howl's mind. It was a very odd sensation, but the wizard kept his arm firm supporting his friend. Shadows flowed around them.

Howl called out his own commands in the same language. They didn't sound as smooth or polished, but Muda had taught him well and the darkness responded. It flowed around the pair. They were lifted into the air.

The shadowperson released her hold on Howl and carefully sat on the platform. She stuck her hands down into it and began to sing once more. The shadows formed into a sphere around them, plunging their world into darkness.

Howl fought to stay calm as the ball began moving towards the distant castle. A small hole appeared, allowing the wizard to see where they were going. Muda drooped, "Howl, you're going to have to take over now. My energy is completely drained."

He crouched down next to her and stuck his hands right next to hers. Muda pulled her own hands out and curled up on the ground. She wrapped her wings tightly around her body until all that could be seen were sleek black feathers. Howl concentrated, willing the sphere towards his home.

The ball set gently down on the ground. Howl pulled his hands out of the holes and relaxed. The shadows dissipated, leaving the wizard and Muda alone about a hundred feet from the castle.

She uncurled slowly. The shadowperson blinked, "Are we back?" Howl nodded, "We're not too far from the castle." Muda groaned and stood unsteadily. She took a step, but her leg refused to support her weight. The knee buckled, and Muda crumpled to the ground.

The shadowperson cursed in her language. Howl draped her arm around his shoulders and helped his friend up. They made their way slowly to the castle, Muda wincing with each step.